Discharge Tray Segmentation for Internal Unit Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require complex procedures and potential interference or damage when replacing internal units like scanners or document reading apparatuses, due to the need for opening and closing members on the discharge tray, which can catch recording media and require increased space.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus design that allows access to internal units by detaching the discharge tray from the main body without removing outer surface members, using a door to expose fixing members and enable detachment of the discharge tray, thereby simplifying the replacement process and reducing interference with other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an opening and closing member is provided on the discharge tray to access the electrical circuit board, then accessibility to internal units is improved, but the size of the opening and closing member needs to be increased and may interfere with expansion units
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is segmented into a detachable portion and a fixed portion. The detachable portion can be separated from the main body to provide access to internal units, eliminating the need for a large opening and closing member that would interfere with expansion units.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable portion of the discharge tray is extracted as a separate component that can be removed when access to internal units is needed. This approach provides accessibility without requiring a permanent large opening that would conflict with expansion units.
2Ease of operation
If the portion where the opening and closing member is disposed is recessed from the surface of the discharge tray, then the opening and closing member can be provided, but an edge of the recording medium may be caught by the recessed portion causing a curl
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is divided into detachable and fixed portions. This segmentation allows access to internal units without creating recessed areas that would catch recording medium edges and cause curling.
3Ease of repair
If multiple outer surface members including the top cover are removed to replace an internal unit, then the internal unit can be accessed, but the replacement procedure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is segmented into a detachable portion and a fixed portion. The detachable portion can be easily removed to access internal units for replacement, simplifying the repair procedure compared to removing multiple outer surface members.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, the image forming apparatus includes a discharge tray for supporting the recording medium, an internal unit disposed inside the apparatus main body, and a door serving as a part of outer surface members of the apparatus main body, the door being opened and closed to expose and cover an inside of the apparatus main body to the outside, wherein, by opening of the door, a fixing member that fixes the discharge tray to the apparatus main body is exposed to the outside, and removing of the fixing member from the apparatus main body allows the discharge tray to be detached from the apparatus main body without removing the outer surface members other than the door, and wherein detaching of the discharge tray from the apparatus main body allows the internal unit to be accessed.